Kia Rio/Rio5

Still bottom dollar, but no longer cheap.

When Kia first introduced the Rio in 2001, it was the cheapest car on the market at $9390. At best, it qualified as reliable transportation. Now comes the second-generation Rio (and its five-door sibling, the Rio5, shown below), a car that is bigger in size and price and one you might actually enjoy driving.

The Rio sits on a new platform that's 0.6 inch wider and 1.2 inches taller. The wheelbase was stretched 3.5 inches, ballooning interior space by five cubic feet to a best-in-class 92. The sticker for the base car has climbed to $11,110; the five-door Rio5 starts at $14,040.

That higher price buys you a more muscular physique. The black-plastic trapezoidal mesh grille residing betwixt the angular headlamps looks serious. Directly below, the tall bumper with black plastic whiskers protruding on either side adds a sense of aggressiveness. Together with a steeply raked windshield and Mazda RX-8-inspired fender flares, the look is all business. The five-door's added rear hatch, body-color spoiler, and 15-inch aluminum wheels give it a downright sporty stance.

The new fabric and plastic materials inside look tasteful and provide a comfortable atmosphere for passengers.

Both models use a 1.6-liter engine, now with variable intake-valve timing. The engine produces 110 horsepower, 14 more than the first Rio's 1.5-liter engine. The four-cylinder runs smoother now and pulls more strongly and willingly to its 6500-rpm redline.

Two transmissions are available: a standard five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic for an extra $850. The five-speed, although a bit rubbery for our tastes, shifts precisely and has a light feel; combined with an able chassis, it's a fun playmate when driving becomes a bit more spirited. The automatic hunts endlessly for gears while heading uphill and produces an unpleasant grinding sound at highway speeds. But it does bestow better highway mileage: 38 mpg versus 35 mpg for the manual.

Options available are anti-lock brakes with rear discs for $400 and the Power package (consisting of power windows and locks, keyless remote, heated side-view mirrors, and tweeter speakers) for $600. A $250 spoiler can also be added to the sedan.

At 11 grand and change, the Rio still speaks to value. But value is no longer the only reason to buy one.